Race Report

Racial harassment complaint leads to changes at Washington State University

Last March, Washington State University junior Nina Kim complained of repeated harassment by white male students at her on-campus job. Kim claimed that the two men proclaimed loudly that “Asians get all the jobs” and made slanted eye gestures to her outside her office window at the Multicultural Student Center.

In response to Kim and pressure from Asian community groups, the school asked the Washington State Commission on Human Rights to compile a task force report. Released in July, the 102-page report serves as an advisory and not an enforceable document.

The commission was intended to review the complaint as a neutral, outside party and to review all details of the incident, including the university’s role in it.

A month after it was issued, however, Kim and a coalition of Asian organizations held a press conference stating that the report unfairly favored the university and her harassers. They listed 10 specific steps to improve the climate on campus. Among these are “full due process for the student victims involved in this case,” as well as providing for anti-racism training by an outside agency, and continuing dialogue between WSU and Asian community groups.

KCCC Youth Camp participants at the challenging rope course.

Since then, WSU has created an outreach specialist position for Asian American and Pacific Islander students and plans on addressing the 10 steps outlined to them.

Kim recently began her senior year at WSU.

Reaching Out To Youth

KCCC summer leadership camp

From Aug. 23 to 26, over 35 campers between the ages of 13 and 18 participated in the Korean Community Counseling Center’s Summer Youth Leadership Camp. The goal was to teach and assist youth in developing communication and leadership skills while making new friends. Events such as these are possible thanks to fundraising efforts from organizations such as KAPS, who, along with KABA, raised an estimated $10,000 through its annual golf tournament.

HED: Happy Hour In Full Swing!

Summer has come and gone, and now, it’s back to the grind! But not everything is all work and no fun! KAPS invites new and old members to come have a drink at our monthly Happy Hour, every second Friday of the month. The last HH was held at Joey’s on Lake Union in downtown Seattle, where great food was shared and friendships were built! To join KAPS, log on to www.seattlekaps.org or e-mail seattlekaps@hotmail.com for more information.